Almost the entire mountain chain is protected by the Huascarán National Park, an area home to 663 glaciers, 269 lakes and 41 rivers, in addition to 33 archaeological sites.

The Cordillera Blanca is riddled with countless trekking circuits. However, some of them have become world-famous: the route of the Quebrada Santa Cruz gully is possibly the most popular of all. The trek sets out from Cashapampa and ends up in the gorge of Quebrada Llanganuco, at the edge of the emerald-green waters of the Llanganuco lakes.

The hike takes four to six days. Other popular circuits include the tour of Mount Alpamayo, a spectacular 12-day hike along the mountaintops; the Quebrada de los Cedros, a trail that gives visitors views of the mountains in the northern sector of the Huascarán Park during a four-day hike; Llanganuco-Portachuelo, a simple, day-and-a-half trek; and Quebrada Quilcayhuanca, which is gently sloping and lasts for two-and-a-half days.

Climate in the Cordillera Blanca:

Heavy rains from December to March and a well-defined dry season, with sunny days and temperatures reaching 25° C, while nights are cold.

Access to the Cordillera Blanca:

From the city of Huaraz, one can reach the towns of Carhuaz (32 km / 30 minutes), Yungay (39 km / 40 minutes) and Caraz (67 km / 50 minutes), all of them towns at the foot of the Cordillera Blanca range.

Visitors should go warmly dressed; in the evening, the cold is intense and the winds pick up.